As humans, we tend to surround ourselves with people and ideas that validate our existing beliefs and make us feel good about ourselves. We watch news channels that align with our political views, hang out with friends who share our interests and values, and read books and articles that support the way we already see the world.
In short, we live in a self-imposed intellectual bubble. And while this feels nice and comfy, it’s actually one of the worst things we can do if we want to grow, learn, and become wiser, more well-rounded people.
Here’s an idea that might make you uncomfortable: go out of your way to seek perspectives that are different from your own. Read books by authors whose views differ from yours. Watch TV shows and YouTube videos that espouse a different political ideology than yours. Strike up conversations with people from different backgrounds who have had very different life experiences.
In other words, intentionally burst your cognitive bubble. Yes, it will be mentally challenging. Yes, you’ll frequently feel frustrated, annoyed, and maybe even offended. But holy shit will you learn a lot.
See, as much conviction as you feel about your beliefs and opinions, guess what? People with different views feel just as strongly about theirs. They’ve arrived at their worldview through their own reasoning and life experiences, just like you have. And while you may think they’re horribly misguided, they almost certainly think the same about you.
So who’s actually right? Well, probably neither of you entirely. The truth is usually found somewhere in the middle ground between differing perspectives. But you’ll never realize that if you don’t genuinely open your mind and make an effort to understand where the other side is coming from. You don’t have to end up agreeing with them, but at least you’ll expand your own thinking in the process.
It’s also just straight up fascinating to learn how people with wildly different backgrounds see and experience the world. It gives you a fuller, richer understanding of the beautiful diversity of the human condition. And it builds the skill of empathy – the ability to inhabit someone else’s perspective.
In the end, intentionally exposing yourself to different views is both personally enriching and culturally valuable. It makes you a more intellectually humble, open-minded, knowledgeable person. And if more of us did it, I believe it would make for a more understanding, less polarized society.
After all, the world isn’t black and white. It’s an infinitely complex patchwork of clashing contexts, conflicting experiences, and differing dogmas. The more of that uncomfortable complexity we can embrace, the closer we’ll be to actual wisdom.
So attend that lecture by the philosopher whose ideas challenge your own. Read that book by the historian who interprets events differently than you do. Have a deep conversation with that person from a culture totally unlike yours. I promise it’ll be an eye-opening experience.